Sri Lanka Intensiv – 09N / 10D

Sri Lanka Intensiv – 09N / 10D  

DAY 01 AIRPORT–NEGOMBO                               (D)  
Arrive in Sri Lanka. Clients will be met by our representative on arrival and transferred to Negombo. 
Check-in at the hotel. 
Dinner & overnight stay in Jetwing Lagoon (4*), Negombo or similar 

DAY 02 NEGOMBO–ANURADHAPURA–MIHINTALE–SIGIRIYA                                                   (B/D) 
After breakfast commence a brief city tour of Negombo. 
Negombo - a famous fishing village North of Colombo, with a Dutch built Canal.  The canal itself is a hive of activity with all the fishermen traveling up and down in their gaily-painted boats.  On the shores of the canal you will find many homes and churches and many species of birds including spectacular Kingfishers and also Parrots. Catamaran trips in the sea and boat trips in canal can be organized.  From November to April, diving facilities are available in this quaint village.  The streets on either side of the Hotels are dotted with Souvenir Shops, Restaurants etc. 
Thereafter leave for Anuradhapura & commence a city tour. 
Anuradhapura is the first capital of Sri Lanka from 5th C.B.C to 10th C.A.D. The remains of 15 centuries as a capital are found in a vast area. The city, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the center of Theravada Buddhism for many centuries. From smaller monuments such as Thuparama and Lankarama to gigantic, 400 foot high Jetawana Dagaba,Abhayagiriya and Ruwanweliseya and the most sacred Bo-tree, (Ficus Religious)well-guarded up to this day, are found here. There are statues, remains of Palaces, Ponds, Temples,Shrines, Alms Halls, Meditation Centres, Old statues, Monasteries, Pleasure gardens and large number of other monuments are found at Anuradhapura. 
Thereafter visit Mihintale. 
Mihintale, which is 15 km’s from Anuradhapura, is the" Cradle of Buddhism" in Sri Lanka. Mihintale is the first sanctuary in the world for Flora & Fauna declared in 247 B.C and is still a sanctuary. The King of Anuradhapura met the missiony Arahat Mahinda here. When you climb 1840 steps you see Ambastale Dagaba, Maha Seya, Kantaka Chetiya,Alms Hall, Hospital, Kaludiya Pokuna,Naga Pokuna and other monuments. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Camellia Resort & Spa (3*), Sigiriya or similar  
   
DAY 03 SIGIRIYA–HABARANA–SIGIRIYA                                                                  (B/L/D) 
 After breakfast commence a Village walk in Habarana. 
 Walk through typical dry zone villages and paddy(rice) fields & experience the traditional Sri Lankan life styles. Clients will be given fresh king coconuts straight away from the coconut tree. Experience a traditional Bullock Cart ride & a Catamaran (Double-paired authentic fishing Catamaran ) safari at the scenic Hiriwadunna Lake. 
Enjoy a typical village lunch at a village Tree house. 
Afternoon return to the hotel. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Camellia Resort & Spa (3*), Sigiriya or similar 

DAY 04  SIGIRIYA–POLONNARUWA–MINNERIYA SAFARI–SIGIRIYA                                           (B/D)  
After breakfast leave for Polonnaruwa & commence a city tour. 
Polonnaruwa was the medieval capital of Sri Lanka from the 11th - 13th C.A.D Great revival was achieved in the country, politically, economically and socially during the period of Kings Vijayabahu Parakramabahu and Nissankamalla of the Polonnaruwa period. The ancient city of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 
Afternoon a jeep safari in Minneriya National Park. 
Minneriya National Park is a national park in North Central Province of Sri Lanka. The area was designated as a national park on 12 August 1997, having been originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1938. The reason for declaring the area as protected is to protect the catchment of Minneriya tank and the wildlife of the surrounding area. The tank is of historical importance, having been built by King Mahasen in third century AD. The park is a dry season feeding ground for the elephant population dwelling in forests of Matale, Polonnaruwa, and Trincomalee districts. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Camellia Resort & Spa (3*), Sigiriya or similar 

DAY 05 SIGIRIYA ROCK–KANDY                                                                              (B/D) 
After breakfast climb Sigiriya Rock. 
Sigiriya today is a UNESCO listed World Heritage Site. It is one of the best preserved examples of ancient urban planning. It is the most visited historic site in Sri Lanka. King Kassapa (477-495 A.D) who shifted the Capital from Anuradhapura to Sigiriya made a fortress to surround his palace, which was constructed on the summit of a 500ft high rock, with necessary facilities. The Palace was surrounded by an outer-moat and wall and Inner - moat and Wall, pleasure garden, Mirror-wall, light coloured and dark coloured damsel's frescoes, to cover the western wall and a beautiful staircase through the body of a Crouching Lion are some of the attractions here. The boulder garden consists of caves where Buddhist Bhikkus lived and meditated. After Kassapa Sigiriya was given back once again to the Bhikkus. 
Thereafter proceed to Kandy. 
Kandy, the last stronghold of the Sinhalese Kings was finally ceded to the British in 1815. Kandy is an example of the Buddhism’s influence in Sri Lanka today. Temple’s shrines and monasteries keeping alive Buddhist traditions are everywhere. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Ozo Kandy (4*), Kandy or similar 

DAY 06 KANDY–PERADENIYA–KANDY                         (B/D) 
After breakfast visit Royal Botanical Garden in Peradeniya. 
The Royal Botanical Gardens - 147 acres in extent; Started in 1374 as a pleasure garden of the Kings of Kandy. There are more than 5000 species of trees and plants. Some rare and endemics as well as flora from the tropical World. Spice Garden and Orchid House are popular with tourist's. 
In the afternoon commence city tour of Kandy, including Upper Lake Drive, Market Square and the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. 
Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic. Ever since 4th Century A.D, when the Buddha’s Tooth was brought to Sri Lanka hidden from sacrilegious hands in an Orisons princess’ hair, the Relic has grown in repute and holiness in Sri Lanka and throughout the Buddhist world. It is considered Sri Lanka’s most prized possession. Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic had been declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Ozo Kandy (4*), Kandy or similar 

DAY 07 KANDY–NUWARA ELIYA–BANDARAWELA                        (B/D) 
After breakfast leave for Nuwara Eliya. En-route Visit a Tea Plantation & Factory. 
Sight walk to the city area.  
Nuwara Eliya – 180 km’s from Colombo, 6200ft. above sea level. In 1826 some British Officers 1828 a road constructed over the ridge at Ramboda Pass and a station for convalescent Soldiers was established was Sir Samuel Baker who fell under the spell of Nuwara Eliya, brought hounds,horses, cattle, sheep etc; and started a typical English farm here. Flowers and vegetable were brought from England and planted. 
 Afternoon leave for Bandarawela & check-in at the hotel.
Bandarawela is a green town full of tree and flowers (especially Roses) are grown all over. The Urban Council territory contains plots of forest and is full of tree formations. The undulating appearance of the town offers plenty of views. However, nobody seems to be aware of this green character. Actually the town’s inhabitants are great walkers themselves. Innumerable are the shortcuts linking the low to the high parts of the town. 
Dinner & overnight stay at Orient Hotel (3+*), Bandarawela or similar 

DAY 08 BANDARAWELA–HORTON PLAINS–BANDARAWELA                         (B/D) 
After breakfast leave for Horton Plains 
Train ride (second class) from Bandarawela to Ohia Railway station. 
Visit Horton Plains & world's End. (03 – 04 hour walk in the plain). 
World's End - Sri Lankas highest plateau at an elevation of 7,000ft in the central mountains. Horton Plains National Park, a World Heritage Site perched on the southern edge of the Central highlands, midway between Nuwara Eliya & Haputale consists of montane forests, where the land rises to 2,500 meters above sea-level. A pre-dawn departure by jeep to visit the Worlds End before 10am (mist obscure the view thereafter). This incredible view the aptly - named World's End is considered to be the finest in Sri Lanka. The terrific escarpment drops vertically for about 1,000ft and falls away almost as steeply for another 4,000ft. In the morning a crescent of silver of the Indian Ocean, rims the horizon some 50 miles to the south. 
Drive back to Bandarawela.  
Dinner & overnight stay at Orient Hotel (3+*), Bandarawela or similar 

DAY 09 BANDARAWELA–BUNDALA SAFARI–TISSAMAHARAMA                                                           (B/D) 
After breakfast leave for Bundala. En-route visit Rawana Water Falls. 
Leaving Nuwara Eliya/Bandarawela behind and enjoying the drive to the south with passing Ella and the Ella Gap which allows a great view across the Southern plains of Sri Lanka. The Rawana Ella Falls are on the way always great to do a photo stop to have scenic picture card motives. 
Afternoon commence a safari to Bundala National Park by jeep.  
Bundala National Park – 250 km’s from Colombo on the Colombo Tissa road. This was declared as a sanctuary on 5.12.1969 and upgraded as a National Park later. Only 24sq. miles in extent. Easily accessible though the wild animal population is limited. This is famous for large flocks of birds, specially the migrant Flamingoes, Ducks and Wades, and birds like Pelicans, Painted Storks,White-necked Storks, Black-necked Storks, Cormorants and other aquatic birds. 
Dinner & overnight stay at The Safari (3+*), Tissamaharama or similar 
      
DAY 10  TISSAMAHARAMA–AIRPORT                                                             (B) 
  After breakfast leave for Airport or beach resort (Up to Chilaw).   *** End of Program **   

B – Breakfast x 09 D – Dinner x 09 L – Lunch x 0